MYRModel Year Report

1991 Hyundai Excel

● Typical for this model
1991 Hyundai Excel
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:42:54.339Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
38
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 13 complaints 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 38 complaints 1991 38 1992: 34 complaints 1993: 20 complaints 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 5 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 2 complaints 1998 2001: 7 complaints
1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1991 38 1992: 34 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 5 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1998 2001: 7 complaints 2001
1986: 13 complaints 1986 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 50 complaints 1988 1989: 88 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1991 38 1992: 34 complaints 1992 1993: 20 complaints 1993 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 5 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1998 2001: 7 complaints 2001

1991: 38 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198613
198713
198850
198988
199039
199138
199234
199320
199436
19955
19963
19972
19982
20017

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

26% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Car began to only do 20 miles per hour after stopping at traffic light or stop sign. Drove fin on road. Than began to drive slowly after two weeks. Had transmission fliud change and drove great for a week then failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-30

Transfer shaft bearing broke, knocking a hole in the transmission case, causing fluids to leak from transmission, causing complete lock up and destruction of transmission and case. My car was only 3 years old and had 50,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-16

Consumer stated the transmission case cracked, due to driving over a dip in the driveway, (Consumer no longer owns vehicle)

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-04

Electrical system

18% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical system failure, brain cell melted down, fuses blown. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-08

Engine electrical fire in engine compartment; while driving, stalled, burst into flames; vehicle totalled. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-01

Visibility

13% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and glass, side/rear.

Structure

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing body and support device/strut.

INJURY

Service brakes

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

1 recall · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1991-02-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-06-05 Passenger brake
  2. I
    1991-09-24Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-13 Transmission lock-up
  3. I
    1992-10-13Engineering analysisClosed 1993-10-29 Transmission malfunction
  4. R
    1994-05-11Fuel system, gasoline93V192000 The vehicles failed the lateral moving barrier impact test requirements of FMVSS 301, "Fuel system integrity." The fuel leakage from the gas tank exceeded the maximum allowable amount of spillage.

    Remedy: Hyundai has developed an appropriate countermeasure that will comply with all requirements of FMVSS 301.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1994-05-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-31 Charging system failures
  6. I
    1995-12-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-03-21 Scissor jack failure

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Hyundai Excel — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V192000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1991 Hyundai Excel reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Hyundai Excel is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Hyundai Excel?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Hyundai Excel have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.